Neighborhood Accessibility Research Articles

How workable is a 20-minute city in Australia? Re-examining the challenge of change in spatial labour and job relations

ABSTRACT Most x-minute city studies focus on liveability and neighborhood accessibility to local services, but rarely include primary employment. This paper complements these studies by examining the urban employment structure and transport dynamics of an Australian city under the 20-minute city concept framework. To do this, we develop a comprehensive method to model residents’ job access time using census-based journey to work (JTW) data and detailed household activity and travel survey. Analysing JTW time stepping down to diverse industry and employment categories and transport modes allows new insight into the disparity in residents’ job and housing locations and transport choices at local scales. By evaluating the distribution of working residents, types of employment, and transport performance, this paper examines possible policy responses and challenges of change in expanding the 20-minute planning target for employment. The analysis suggests that housing infill development could support reduced JTW time for residents experiencing longer time for work travels. However, this would require active planning of both land-use mix and dwelling design to meet prevalent household expectations about dwelling size and quality.

NEIGHBOURHOOD ACCESSIBILITY AND ACTIVE LIVING PATTERN OF CHILDREN: A PILOT STUDY IN NAGPUR, INDIA

NEIGHBOURHOOD ACCESSIBILITY AND ACTIVE LIVING PATTERN OF CHILDREN: A PILOT STUDY IN NAGPUR, INDIA

The spatial planning of housing and urban green space: A combined stated choice experiment and land-use modeling approach

Urban green space (UGS) is receiving increasing attention as a means to make cities better adapted to climate change and to create high-quality living environments for citizens. The spatial planning of UGS generally asks a trade-off between optimizing land-use and accessibility characteristics which may differ between housing types. In this paper, we use a stated choice experiment to estimate residential location preferences related to neighborhood land-use, UGS and accessibility characteristics in the framework of a land-use model. A national sample of 394 Dutch homeowners participated in the experiments and mixed logit models were estimated by housing type distinguishing detached, row houses and apartments. The estimation results show that trade-offs made between a green neighborhood and accessibility to urban amenities tend to differ between the housing types. The estimates are used as parameters in a housing land-use allocation model. An application of the model to a residential area development problem shows that creating green buffers along road infrastructure is the most beneficial way of allocating UGS considering the housing value for residents. The application further shows that apartments benefit more strongly from UGS in the neighborhood than from high accessibility of urban amenities compared to detached and row houses. Finally, we find that the optimal spatial allocation of UGS depends on whether maximizing housing market-value or residents’ utility is the prime objective.

A participatory foresight approach to envisioning post-pandemic urban development pathways in Tokyo

Ensuring sustainable urban futures demands varied approaches, particularly with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, which presents a unique situation and experience for reimagining urban futures. A considerable number of scientific inquiries have adopted participatory foresight approaches to imagining sustainable urban development pathways. However, not many have used a similar approach to envision urban development pathways in a post-COVID-19 era. Based on available evidence on the impacts of COVID-19 on urban forms and lifestyles and citizens’ experiences during the pandemic, such a study is imperative to better understand how people from different demographic groups envision an ideal post-pandemic city. Using the Greater Tokyo Area as a case study, we adopted the Q methodology to determine post-pandemic urban development pathways from the subjective viewpoints of diverse stakeholders. We identified four development pathways for an ideal post-pandemic city. The first pathway is a resilient city with good neighborhood accessibility and sustainable urban regeneration. The second and third pathways, shared by younger people, focus on pro-environmental climate change mitigation (city compactness, shared mobility) and pro-urban resilience, respectively. The final pathway imagines a post-pandemic city that is accessible, safe, and smart. We found that different age groups perceive their ideal cities differently, especially when emphasizing the nexus between pandemics and cities. The study illustrates the need to adopt more participatory approaches in designing future urban development pathways since varied perspectives of an ideal city exist among different age demographics. These approaches promote equitable, inclusive, and transparent urban planning, advancing community support for policymaking and implementation.

Hanging up the car keys: Exploring factors that influence older drivers planning for driving retirement in Australia

IntroductionOlder driver safety is of increasing interest for policy makers and practitioners as the population of Australia continues to grow and age because capacity to drive safely may be affected by age-related physical and cognitive declines. Additionally, older drivers are at increased risk of serious injury or death if involved in a crash. Evidence suggests that only a small percent of drivers plan for driving retirement and there is limited understanding of the factors that influence this behaviour. Ultimately, the transition to driving retirement may be facilitated by actively planning for the day when an older driver hangs up the keys. MethodsThis qualitative study aimed to explore factors that influenced older adults planning for driving retirement through semi-structured in-depth interviews with 12 Sunshine Coast residents aged 65 and older who have retired from driving. The research was underpinned by the Social Ecological Model (SEM). ResultsThe data analysis identified that 1) individual factors are generally the stimulus for an older driver to begin thinking about retiring from driving; 2) interpersonal feedback did not play a large role in influencing planning driving retirement; 3) having available social support was an important facilitator of planning for driving retirement; 4) neighbourhood accessibility, infrastructure, and available alternative transport was a significant factor that influenced planning for driving retirement; and 5) at a policy level there is a need for coordinated and comprehensive resources to aid older drivers planning for driving retirement. ConclusionsThis study identified factors at all four levels of the SEM that influence planning for driving retirement, which provides support for addressing all levels of the SEM in future interventions, policy changes, and research. This knowledge can be valuable for future policy and intervention development.

Proximity-centred accessibility—A conceptual debate involving experts and planning practitioners

Recognised as an important dimension of quality of life, accessibility has gained increasing attention from research and planning practice in the last decades. Rising concern with global warming and the dehumanization of cities has spotlighted the proximity-centred dimension of accessibility, which for decades has been mostly undervalued. In both research and practice, we witness a rise in references to proximity-centred accessibility, however, using a variety of different terms, with somewhat nuanced meanings or underlying concerns. Proximity-centred accessibility concepts are still in flux, inhibiting the establishment of a comprehensive understanding for the development of a cohesive research field and of effective public policies.This paper provides a first contribution to the development of a conceptual framework for proximity-centred accessibility, through a co-development process involving both research and practice. For this we used a mixed methods approach incorporating bibliographic research, surveys, and a focus group, involving both experts in the research field and a sample of planning practitioners from Portugal and Germany.Our research revealed over a dozen different proximity-centred accessibility terms currently in use in the scientific research field, of which, local accessibility and neighbourhood accessibility are the most commonly used. A difference in favoured terminology was identified between research and practice as well as different national contexts, requiring further explorations. While Proximity thresholds have been defined using a variety of physical distances or travel times, our survey revealed a nearly unanimous consensus around a threshold of 1600 m (roughly 20 min walking). Mixed evidence was found with regard to activities relevant at proximity. Regardless, playgrounds, green spaces, food shopping and elementary education showed particular relevance.Building on the empirical evidence collected, we strike out a first conceptual framework for proximity-centred accessibility. Building on the general definition for accessibility, we include a maximum distance threshold of 1600 m to consider accessibility as proximity-centred. The proposed framework encourages multiple distances (up to 1600 m), transport modes, and activities (although the relevance of activities seems to be clearly dependent of distance and local context). The importance of clearly specifying the exact distances, transport mode(s) and activities for each application of the framework is stressed.

How does the environment in and around the home impact social care and health outcomes for older people?

Reducing the burden of falls and fall-related admissions to hospital and care homes is an important policy area. Falls cause significant injury leading to a reduced quality of life. We wanted to know if the environment around people’s homes changes the risk of falls for older people in Wales.
 We linked routinely collected, anonymised health data on frailty, dementia, hospital admissions, care home admission, and A&E attendance in the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage Databank. We also linked individual level demographic data and household level neighbourhood walkability and accessibility metrics detailing the built environment (e.g. access to services, greenspace). We capture change in the built environment and house moves between January 2010 and December 2017. Using unadjusted and adjusted cox regression models we will assess how the risk and severity of a fall changes in relation to the built environment.
 We have created a dynamic national e-cohort linking data on frailty, dementia, hospital admissions, care home admission, A&E attendance and built environment measures for people living in Wales aged 60 and above between January 2010 and December 2017. At the conference we will report summary statistics for each quarter as well as the overall population. We will also report unadjusted cox model odds ratios, as well as fully adjusted models. We will adjust for age, sex, urbanicity (urban/rural), deprivation (WIMD), dementia diagnosis, and seasonal weather trends. We will also report odds ratios for our stratification analysis where we will investigate whether associations vary by urbanicity and deprivation.
 With an aging population, it is becoming more important to help the current and future older population age healthily, preventing adverse health outcomes before they happen. This research will help guide policy and resource allocation to support people staying at home and have a more fulfilling life for longer.

Association between urban greenspace, tree canopy cover and intentional deaths: An exploratory geospatial analysis

Greenspaces can provide restorative experiences, offer opportunities for outdoor recreation, and reduce mental fatigue; all of which may improve community health and safety. Yet few studies have examined the neighborhood-level benefits of greenspace in reducing violent deaths. This study explored the association between three distinct greenspace metrics: public greenspace quantity, public greenspace accessibility, neighborhood tree canopy cover, and intentional deaths (i.e., homicides and suicides). Generalized linear models and spatial error models investigated the association between greenspace, tree canopy and intentional deaths in three geographically distinct cities in North Carolina, USA. Results revealed that increased neighborhood greenspace accessibility and tree canopy cover were associated with reduced intentional deaths in all three urban areas. Neighborhood greenspace accessibility was the most protective factor across all study areas. The association between neighborhood greenspace accessibility and intentional deaths was more significant for non-firearm deaths as compared to firearm deaths, indicating that weapon type may be an important consideration for neighborhood greenspace interventions. Compared to predominantly White neighborhoods, predominantly Black neighborhoods had higher rates of homicide in Asheville and Durham and higher rates of suicide in Charlotte. Future policy and research should focus on improving equitable access to existing and future greenspaces, especially in primarily Black neighborhoods.

How do forms and characteristics of Asian public housing neighbourhoods affect dementia risk among senior population? A cross-sectional study in Hong Kong

BackgroundPublic housing estate is a key determinant of community health risk in American/European cities. However, how forms/characteristics of compact/hilly public housing's neighbourhoods affect dementia among Asian seniors was underestimated. DesignThis was a cross-sectional study. MethodsA total of 2,077 seniors living in Hong Kong's public housing estates were included. Dementia was measured by a Cantonese version of Montreal – Cognitive Assessment. Built environment was measured based on three dimensions (greenery, walkability, accessibility), including 11 metrics. Circular buffers (without walking paths) and service areas (considering walking paths) with two-dimensional/three-dimensional (terrain) adjustment were applied to quantify forms/characteristics of neighbourhoods. Two spatial buffers were applied: immediate distance (200 m) and walkable distance (500 m). Exposure-by-exposure regressions were applied to evaluate the associations between form/characteristics of neighbourhood and dementia. ResultsForms/characteristics without considering walking paths may overestimate health benefits from built environment. For circular buffers, higher percentage of building coverage, higher land use mix and more community/transportation/leisure facilities were negatively associated with dementia. All measures of greenery were positively associated with dementia. For service areas, measures of walkability and accessibility became insignificant except more community facilities at the immediate distance. Furthermore, terrain effect was insignificant when it was compared with the impacts of walking paths. ConclusionDementia among seniors in hilly public housing estates was negatively associated with neighbourhood's walkability and accessibility and was influenced by walking paths. For healthy ageing, improved forms/characteristics of public housing neighbourhoods should include more accessible spaces and community facilities along walking paths for physical activities and basic daily needs.

Housing and psychosocial well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic

The loss of psychosocial well-being is an overlooked but monumental consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. These effects result not only from the pandemic itself but, in a secondary way, from the Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) made to curb the spread of disease. The unprecedented physical distancing and stay-at-home requirements and recommendations provide a unique window for housing researchers to better understand the mechanisms by which housing affects psychosocial well-being.This study draws on a survey conducted with over 2,000 residents of the neighbouring Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta in 2021. We propose a new multi-dimensional model to examine the relationships between the Material, Economic, Affordances, Neighbourhood, and Stability (MEANS) aspects of housing and psychosocial well-being. Our analysis reveals the direct and indirect pathways by which deficiencies in each of these areas had negative effects on psychosocial well-being. Residential stability, housing affordances, and neighbourhood accessibility exert stronger direct impacts on psychosocial well-being than material and economic housing indicators (e.g. size of living space and tenure). Notably, we find no significant well-being differences between different homeowners and renters when we account for other housing MEANS. These findings have important implications for housing policy across pandemic and post-pandemic contexts, suggesting a need for research and policy focus on understanding housing and well-being in terms of non-material aspects, such as residential stability and affordances that housing provides.

Social and Emotional Wellbeing Among Young People; the Mitigating Role of Ecological Domains

To examine the role of neighbourhood, what Bronfenbrenner describes as an element in the exosystem, as a protective asset for adolescents’ social and emotional wellbeing. The study used a subset of national data reported by adolescents and their parents from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC). A linear mixed-effect model was used to estimate the association between neighbourhood indicators and trajectories in a measure of social and emotional wellbeing (the SDQ Total Difficulties score) at ages 12–13, 14–15 and 16–17, controlling for age and sex, peer and family relationships and household material resources. The analysis revealed that parents’ perceptions of belonging and their subjective assessments of the condition of housing in the neighbourhood, as well as externally sourced data on neighbourhood accessibility and socio-economic status, were significantly associated with adolescents’ total difficulties scores over time. The findings revealed the role of neighbourhood level protective assets as a potential influence on adolescents’ social and emotional wellbeing. Greater attention should be given to understanding the complex interactions between the resources mobilised by individuals and their families, and the influence of wider environments and social structures on young people’s social and emotional wellbeing.

Abstract A012: The effect of neighborhood deprivation on colorectal cancer patients in Louisiana: A multilevel study

Abstract Background Colorectal cancer incidence in Louisiana and the US exhibit profound racial and ethnic disparities, determined not only by individual-level predictors but also by neighborhood-level characteristics. Aggregate-level factors such as neighborhood deprivation level, rural/urban status, and accessibility to healthcare facilities are associated with geographic health disparities. This study examines the effect of area neighborhood deprivation on overall and early-onset (age < 50 years) CRC cancer incidence, stage at diagnosis, and survival. Methods From the Louisiana Tumor Registry we identified 18,903 eligible CRC cancer patients using ICD-O-3 codes C180-C189, C199, C209-C212, C218, and C260, with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage 0-IV between 2009 and 2018. The census tract (CT) level Area Deprivation Index (ADI) was calculated for the years 2010-2014 for all CTs where eligible patients reside. We convert the ADI to quantiles such that higher quantiles indicated more disadvantaged neighborhoods. Trend analysis of CRC cancer incidence by CT-level deprivation was conducted. Multilevel models were constructed to evaluate the influence of neighborhood deprivation on risk of advanced stage cancer diagnosis and death. Variables including sex, race/ethnicity, insurance, marital, smoking status, and primary subsite at the individual level and rural/urban status at the neighborhood level were adjusted. Results We observed a positive relationship between neighborhood deprivation and CRC cancer incidence, with an incidence rate of 38.91 (95% CI 37.32-40.50) cases per 100,000 for the least deprived areas and 57.29 (95% CI 55.20-59.37) cases per 100,000 among the CTs with the highest deprivation (P <.0001). For both males and females, CRC incidence increased linearly with higher deprivation, but males experienced stronger association than females. The incidence of early-onset CRC cancer ranged from 7.62 (95% CI 6.82-8.43) cases per 100,000 population in the least deprived quantile to 11.14 (95% CI 9.99-12.29) cases per 100,000 population in the most deprived ADI quantile (P < .0001). Multilevel model results estimate that the probability of advanced stage (AJCC stage II-IV) CRC cancer diagnosis increases as the deprivation index increases. Compared with patients in the least deprived group, living in the most deprived group was associated with the highest risk (OR: 1.31, 95% CI 1.14-1.52). Although the adjusted survival is similar across deprivation quantiles (HR = 1), an advanced stage of diagnosis significantly increases the overall and cause-specific risk of death. Conclusion Overall and early-onset CRC cancer incidence increases in areas with higher neighborhood deprivation level. Greater neighborhood derivation is associated with more advanced stage (AJCC II-IV) CRC cancer diagnosis. Acknowledgment Supported by NIH/NCI 1R01CA259420. Citation Format: Tingting Li, Ariane L. Rung, Madhav KC, Mei-Chin Hsieh, Laura S. Rozek, Edward S. Peters. The effect of neighborhood deprivation on colorectal cancer patients in Louisiana: A multilevel study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2022 Sep 16-19; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A012.

Engaging Appreciative Inquiry in Exploring Accessibility Needs among Vulnerable Community in Kuala Lumpur Neighbourhood

Neighborhood accessibility affects a wider range of people, especially the vulnerable groups. The disablement of the built environment imposes limitation for the vulnerable groups to reach facilities and services independently. The built environment can only be effective when it is interconnected and seamless. Research in the past focuses on problem base approach which had little success in eliciting responses from stakeholders for sustainable change in their built environment. This research investigates accessibility experience in the built environment through social process of meaning-making based on positive and constructive interactions. This qualitative research using focus group discussion (FGD) employs an appreciative inquiry (AI) to collect and decode data in four stages; discovery, dream, design, and destiny. The FGD involved stakeholders including vulnerable communities; the elderly, pregnant women, mothers with toddlers, persons with disabilities (PwD), academicians and NGOs. Findings revealed collective priorities related to the accessibility improvements in the external and internal living environment, the need to enforce national disability law, the actualisation blueprint of the desired future living environment. To create an accessible and sustainable neighbourhood in Kuala Lumpur, the study demonstrated how the Appreciative Inquiry approach generates real community needs and voices those rights holistically.

ADAPTING STAKEHOLDER WALKABILITY/WHEELABILITY AUDIT TOOL IN NEIGHBORHOOD FOR SENSORY AND COGNITIVE DISABILITIES

Abstract Neighbourhood accessibility influences health, social inclusion, and overall wellbeing of older adults. It is important to assess neighbourhood accessibility in relation to the diverse needs and challenges brought on by the intersection of aging and disability, particularly sensory and cognitive disabilities. Given the paucity of neighbourhood audit tools tailored for this population, The user-led Stakeholders’ Walkability/Wheelability Audit in Neighbourhoods (SWAN) tool was originally created for people with mobility disabilities and is now being adapted for seniors with sensory and cognitive disabilities to evaluate functionality, safety, appearance, supportive features, and social aspects in their neighbourhoods. In this paper, we present highlights and key takeaways from the process of adapting the SWAN tool for three user groups: people living with 1) Blindness or low vision, 2) Deafness and hearing loss, and 3) Dementia. Key steps in the iterative tool adaptation process include 1) identifying access needs/challenges for the three user groups based on a literature review, 2) online consultation with stakeholders with lived and/or professional experience (N = 4) to prioritize key access needs/challenges that will be captured through the SWAN tool and review draft versions of the tool, and 3) in-person pilot testing of tools with persons with lived experience (N = 2) in two urban/suburban neighbourhoods in British Columbia, Canada. Reflections of team members and input from stakeholders and pilot participants revealed issues that were addressed in tool development, namely 1) length of audit and participant fatigue, 2) legibility of tool, and 3) tailoring audit to participants’ context and needs.

Visualizing the impact of Covid-19 vaccine passports on pedestrian access to metro stations in Hong Kong

ABSTRACT Pedestrian infrastructures in Hong Kong enable multilevel city life in a vertical metropolis plagued by land scarcity. Public spaces integrated into pedestrian networks play an indispensable role in neighbourhood accessibility. We visualize the impact of the Covid-19 vaccine passport (VP) restrictions on the use of public space on pedestrian accessibility to all 97 metro stations in Hong Kong. Pedestrians without a vaccine passport (PwoVP) need to walk significantly longer alternative routes. Specifically, VP-related access restrictions to indoor walkways have doubled the shortest travel time for PwoVP and a 50% reduction in accessibility of two-thirds of stations.

Critical Determinants of Residential Land Values in a Suburban Area: A Perception Analysis

Residential land is a crucial factor for human beings in any country. Along with the rapid urbanization, the value of residential land is increasing gradually which sometimes the values are unreachable in some places. There is no evidence of research on what factors that are contributing to this escalation of land prices in Moratuwa, one of the suburban areas of the city of Colombo in Sri Lanka. Hence, the main intention of this research is to identify the important determinants of residential land values in the Moratuwa Municipal Council area. Data was collected from two groups, i.e., the residents and professionals who work with land values including three property valuers and a bank manager. An online questionnaire survey was used to collect data from residents selected through the purposive sampling method while semi structured interviews were conducted with professionals. The analysis proceeds with both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The results of the quantitative analysis used for residents’ views show that the factors of location, neighbourhood characteristics, accessibility, and topographic characteristics are significantly influence on land value. The results of the content analysis applied for professionals' views were very close to the results of resident’s views and confirm that the location and neighbourhood characteristics and accessibility are significant on land values. Accordingly, the factors of location, accessibility, and neighbourhood characteristics are having a significant impact in terms of determining the residential land values in the Moratuwa MC Area and interested parties are advised to consider them in all transactions on residential lands.

Older People’s Neighborhood Perceptions Are Related to Social and Emotional Loneliness and Mediated by Social Network Type

Background and ObjectivesLoneliness among older people is a public health issue; however, there is very weak support for the efficacy of individually focused interventions. A public health model, which includes the environmental influence on the formation of social networks and protection from loneliness, and theoretical approaches differentiating between social and emotional loneliness, suggest the importance of neighborhoods in preventing loneliness. This approach was used to test the influence of neighborhood factors on loneliness and the mediating role of social networks.Research Design and MethodsA questionnaire survey of 917 people aged 60–100 years was conducted in one region of Aotearoa/New Zealand to assess loneliness, social network types, social participation, marital status, gender, health, and four aspects of neighborhood perceptions.ResultsSocial and emotional loneliness scores were regressed on predicted demographic and social variables, followed by perceptions of Housing Satisfaction, Neighborhood Accessibility, Neighborhood Security, and Neighborhood Social Cohesion. Neighborhood variables added significant explanation of variance in both social and emotional loneliness. Mediation tests using PROCESS showed that the effects of all neighborhood variables were mediated by Private-Restricted or Locally Integrated Network types on Social Loneliness only.Discussion and ImplicationsThese findings highlight the importance of neighborhood factors in relation to feelings of loneliness and the recognition of social network types as mediators of these relationships for social loneliness. The aspects of neighborhoods that prevent loneliness provide directions for planners and prevention programs. Interventions to prevent social loneliness can usefully and practicably focus on the housing and neighborhood environment.

Association of Neighborhood Alcohol Environment With Alcohol Intake and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in India: Cross-Sectional Evidence From APCAPS.

There are more and more proofs about the impact of neighborhood alcohol environment on alcohol-associated events. The relationship between the neighborhood availability and accessibility of alcohol outlet with individual level of alcohol consumption along with 11 cardiovascular risk factors was explored for the first time in India using data from the 3rd follow-up of the Andhra Pradesh children and parents study (APCAPS) (n = 6156, for liquor intake and 5,641 for heart and blood vessel risk elements). In fully adjusted models, volunteers in the lowest tertile performed worse than volunteers in the highest tertile of distance to the closest alcohol outlet were more probably to exhibit less alcohol consumption (−14.40 g/day, 95% CI: −26.21, −2.59). A unit per km2 rise in alcohol outlet density in 400 m buffering area was related to a rise in waist circumference (1.45 mm, 95% CI: 0.13, 2.77), SBP (0.29 mmHg, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.49), and DBP (0.19 mmHg, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.35). A unit per 100 m rise in distance to the closest alcohol outlet was related to a rise in waist circumference (−2.39 mm, 95% CI: −4.18, −0.59), SBP (−0.41 mmHg, 95% CI: −0.68, −0.15), and DBP (−0.29 mmHg, 95% CI: −0.51, −0.07). Neighborhood availability of alcohol outlets within immediate locality of participants’ households had a closer relationship with cardiovascular risk factors than that within the whole village. Public health policies designed to limit neighborhood availability and accessibility of alcohol outlets ought to be advocated in southern India.

Correlates of neighborhood social cohesion among older adults in Iran

ABSTRACT Despite growing attention to the relationship between social cohesion and health outcomes, very few studies have focused on correlates of social cohesion especially in developing countries. This study sought to identify the factors related to neighborhood social cohesion among the older adults in Tehran, Iran. The sample consisted of 1280 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 and over. Face-to-face interviews were administrated to gather data from residents of selected neighborhoods. Bivariate analyses and hierarchical regression analysis were done to reveal the relations between perceived neighborhood social cohesion and independent variables. The mean age of the participants was 70.90 years (SD = 8.07 years) and more than half of them (57.9%) lived in the mid-advantage areas. The mean social cohesion score was 7.32 (SD = 2.13) and the mean percentage score was 61.08 (SD = 17.75). Results showed that marital status, employment status, independent daily living, and perceived health status, availability of shopping center, cleanness of the neighborhood, security for walking and area-level advantage, significantly related to higher neighborhood social cohesion (F = 10.382, R2 = 14.8). Environmental characteristics included cleanness, security, and advantage of the neighborhood had the greatest effect on the neighborhood social cohesion. The significant change in R Squared showed that the addition of environmental characteristics accounted for an amount of variance in neighborhood social cohesion (∆F = 11.46, ∆R2 = 0.054), after controlling for confounding variables. The study findings underscore the importance of improving environmental aspects of neighborhood to develop older adults’ social cohesion. Developing the infrastructures for neighborhood accessibility, cleanliness, and security can lead to higher levels of social cohesion.

Availability and Accessibility of Urban Green Spaces in a High-Density City: The Case of Raipur, India

Urban green spaces (UGS) can counter the ill effects of urbanization in high-density cities. Studies related to these aspects are rare in Indian cities, however. This article aims to assess the availability and accessibility of UGS in Raipur, India. The objectives are to identify the status of UGS alteration, determine the status of available UGS, and identify the optimum population density for which UGS can be made available and accessible. Land use change detection, fragmentation index, availability index, UGS per capita, and neighborhood accessibility are used to assess aspects of UGS. The results show an increase in built-up area (24.32 percent) from 2010 to 2020. They also show a decrease in the UGS availability index and an increase in the fragmentation index from the city center to the outskirts. Uneven distribution of UGS categories is found all over the studied urban area. Low-density areas have more UGS per capita available than high-density areas, whereas medium-high-density areas have the maximum UGS accessibility. The study concludes with density-wise implications to maximize the UGS benefits and identifies medium-high density as the optimum density that allows high accessibility to the available UGS.